Meet the Cast

William Browning

Host

Living life to it’s fullest, seeking adventure, and increasing knowledge where ever possible is the journey host, William Browning is set on. Host, Director, & Producer, William is seeking out the formula to making great wine and he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty. He’s on his way to becoming a Wine Warrior!

L. Mawby Vineyard

Leelanau Peninsula

Larry Mawby

Proprietor/Winemaker

Larry Mawby has been producing world class Sparkling Wine on Michigan’s Leelanau Peninsula since the mid-seventies. He was recently named one of the “20 Most Admired People in the North American Wine Industry” by Vineyard and Winery Management magazine. Larry provides observations throughout the show called “Mawby Moments” some are full of wisdom some are wacky and all are when you least expect them.

Chateau Chantal

Old Mission Peninsula

Bill Autenreith

Tasting Room Manager

When Bill is in the tasting room everyone knows it…loud, funny, charming and explosive. Bill is in the middle of everything and not shy about expressing his opinion to co-workers, management and guests. When a problem pops up, Bill either caused it or is the first to know about it and will promptly handle it in his own zany way.

Brian Lillie

Hospitality Manager

Brash and flowing with exuberance, Brian’s dry humor is often projected at his co-workers. According to Brian, the B&B is the heart and soul of the property. He is a whirlwind each day as he manages the B&B, catering and guest services, blasting through each fire that erupts and arranging all events while keeping the guests happy and pushing his staff to the brink.

Marie-Chantal Dalese

Director of Marketing

A new mother and the driving force behind Chateau Chantal. Marie is everywhere and into everything. Nothing gets by her. Her outward easy going personality masks a tough as nails business force which has helped move the winery to one of the most successful in the region. She moves mountains to get her product to her customers and nothing will stop her.

Bob & Nadine Begin

Founders – Chateau Chantal

A former Catholic Priest and former Catholic nun choose a new path and marry, eventually pursuing their dream to open a winery. Decades later they are still at it. Soft spoken, friendly and welcoming they now have relinquished day to day operations but still keep a watchful eye on the business. And when they do offer a suggestion everyone knows it’s in their best interest to listen.

Good Harbor Vineyards

Leelanau Peninsula

Taylor Simpson

Director of Marketing and Sales

Driven and relentless when it comes to getting her wine on the shelves of retailers, she’s still often found in the fields and the cellar in hot debate with her brother Sam on just how to best cultivate and bottle their product. She takes pride in making her brother work very hard to keep up with her sales. Taylor is convinced that Sam will never make more wine than she can sell.

Sam Simpson

Winemaker – Vineyard Operations Manager

Sam is the head winemaker at Good Harbor. He knows he has some pretty big shoes to fill by assuming the role his late father held for nearly three decades. And he’s determined to make his dad proud. Sam carries on the same traditions of his father but he also has a few tricks up his sleeve of his own.

Debbie Simpson

Owner

Debbie unexpectedly found herself at the helm of Good Harbor when her husband Bruce passed away in 2009. But with the help of Sam and Taylor, she runs a tight ship overseeing the 65 + acre vineyard. She’s calm, collected and often quiet, but make no mistake, the final decision always belongs to her.

Chateau de Leelanau

Leelanau Peninsula

Matt Gregory

Winemaker – Managing Partner

Roaring with a can do spirit, Matt nearly runs his operation as a one-man-band. He’s a cowboy always on the move, whether in the fields, the cellar, the bottling line, the tasting room or the counting room…he’s half crazed trying to be everywhere at once. He gets the job done through sheer determination yet somehow manages to squeeze in some pretty insane partying along the way.